Man Now Accused of Burning Body to Cover Up Drug Use

Officials have not released specific details as to the relationship between the two men, but now say a Milton-Freewater man is facing serious charges after he admitted burning another man's body. It was to cover up extreme drug use.

KEPR-TV is reporting Conor Michael Dayton is facing charges of tampering with physical evidence and abuse of a corpse for his part in the burning of 29-year-old Jesus Gutierrez-Rodriqeuz in May.

May 22 Rodriquez body was found underneath the Eastside Bridge near Milton-Freewater, in badly burned condition. Officials say despite the damage, he had extremely high levels of meth still in his system.

At first, his death was not considered to be the result of foul play, but then an investigation led to Dayton's involvement. He admitted he set the fire that burned the corpse.